Oct 26 - Wander the Uintas

Today is "wander" day -- specifically, wander the Uintas (a mountain range to the east). I've been there once in June when the snow was just starting to melt and had all intentions of exploring there this summer (July/Aug) but lots of things got in the way. So today (before there's too much snow up there) is the day. Don't think I'll be able to hike (I'm thinking there's snow because I've seen the snow from far away) but I'm still ready for whatever adventure may come my way.

The day is beautiful -- sunny and in the mid-40s. I take 80 to 40 (towards Heber -- was there last Friday) but swing east on 248 towards Kamas. I think in June, I took 80 to a hwy that led directly south to Kamas -- thru Rockport Reservoir. The beautiful country with the old barns, etc -- the area (2000 acres) burnt by the massive Rockport Fire in Aug. Not sure if those old farm buildings were destroyed and I have no intention of finding out today. (On a good note, on Friday, massive helicopter reseeding efforts dumped 36k pounds of seed on the area, hoping Spring will bring the area back to life.)

248 wasn't bad as it cuts across to Kamas, it goes up and has a great view of the Jordanelle Reservoir. A few scattered ranch homes in here but there are subdivisions along the hwy going up.

I get to Kamas, make a left and then a quick right and I'm off on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (Hwy 150). Lots of ranch land in there and some small towns. In one of the first fields I pass there are 4 animals -- too small to be cows or horse; they're in fact mule deer (doe) just grazing in a open field. (It must not be doe hunting season.)

There are wet areas south of the hwy (its looks like it would be great moose habitat) and the wetlands are in their autumn colors. My 1st wander is at Beaver Creek. Its a small picnic area along the creek. The ground is still frosty (frosty leaves as well). There is a footbridge to get over the creek and many trails leading to picnic tables. Many yellow aspen trees in here and tree stumps with the tell-tale signs that a beaver cut them down (pointy stumps with chew marks)- guess why its called Beaver Creek.

Next stop is North Fork. I was here in June and naturally the creek was much higher than it is now. I get down to the creek and realize that sometimes you do have to clear out the camera's memory cards (even if they are 8Gig cards). Oops! Fortunately for me, I have a few spare in the car.

Quick stop at the Slate Gorge overlook -- I actually drove by it and noticed snow in the gorge so circled back. It looked pretty but still very dark (no sun) in the gorge.

Onward to Provo Falls. This is a "step" waterfall. Naturally, the water is low. But there's snow on the rocks! Looks very pretty.

I head down to the 2nd waterfall (much smaller than the other) on the trail. Then head off walking down the rocks to basically the base of the fall. There's lots of bright green algae on the wall. And I love the fact that I can see the "overflow" point -- just when the water pool is full enough to send the excess over the edge.

There's a small creek flowing into Provo Creek near the 2nd fall and its a frozen waterfall.

Onwards --- to Lily Lake (and another lake right across the street that I don't remember). Snow around Lily Lake. Part of it is frozen. Only one other car in the parking lot and they're getting ready to go fishing. They are pumping up a floatation device which they sit in --- their legs daggling in the water. I talk to the lady --- just fishing for whatever they can catch before they get too cold. It's getting muddy now as the frozen mud thaws.

I cross the hwy to the other lake --- this one has more snow and I'll be the first to walk in it. The snow is solid/frozen in spots and its great until I fall thru (about 4-6 inches). Very thin sheet of ice on the lake.

I cross back over the hwy at the overflow point (where one lake flows into the other). Pretty neat!

Next stop is Bald Mt Pass (10,759) pull-out. Very nice view of the Uintas Valley and Bald Mt to the right (my next stop).

In June I could barely get 25 yrds on the road to the Bald Mt trailhead. Today I get to a very snowy and frozen parking. I hesitated before getting on the snowy road but if a Prius can make it, I certainly can. Its pretty much all snowy here. There are about 7 cars in the lot. I climb to the ridge hoping to look down onto a lake but no such luck -- just trees and snow. And a nice view of Hayden Peak. From this view (southeast facing), Bald Mt has barely any snow. I'm pretty sure that would not be the case when I get down to Mirror Lake.

Next stop - Hayden Peak overlook. Now this overlook has the lake! (Mirror Lake). I head down thru the snow to another little overlook called Old Glory Overlook. Same mountains just less trees to peek thru.

I should note that almost all the roads to the campgrounds are now closed. But that doesn't mean one can't just walk around the gate and to the lake. Just like I did for Moosehorn Lake (at least I think that was its name). The lake had an awesome view of Bald Mt and the moon. There was snow around the lake -- again solid in spots but others a soft 4-6 inches. The lake seemed to be in a bowl as I could see where it was about ready to spill over the edges. Walked along maybe 100yrds of snowy shoreline. I could hear other people out somewhere -- but could never find them. The ice in one spot had a fishbone like pattern.

And the wetland grasses, water and ice looked pretty neat.

Then a downhill drive to Mirror Lake. This was a little dicey in one spot where the downhill side of the road was packed snow/ice so I had one set of tires on the dry uphill side and the other on the snow/ice to prevent from sliding down.

There are a handful of cars in the parking lot but pretty quiet. This is definitely the snowy side of Bald Mt. Mirror Lake was icy on this part of the lake. The trail around it was a mix of snow, ice, muddy and clear all depending where I was and how much sun was hitting the trail. The lake had great views of Hayden Peak as well. (Actually, I start on the side of the lake next to Bald Mt w/ views of Hayden Peak then I come around to the Hayden Peak side w/ views of Bald Mt.)

Again, strange shapes in the ice.

At one point I passed a log in the water and something caught my eye (and actually made me jump -- just a bit). It was a whole school of trout that scattered in the water - large trout just hanging around the icy edges.

Saw the same in other spots on the trail.

Finally as I start to round the corner of the lake, the lake is clear of ice and the nice mountain reflections appear.

Now on the other side, I get to look at Bald Mt again. The moon is just above it.

When I get back to the other corner (coming around to the parking area), the ice returns. I've skipped plenty of rocks on Lake Michigan (in Indiana) during my lifetime but I've never seen people slide chumps of ice along an icy lake until today. What a very cool sound it makes as the chunk slides across (like a whirling noise).

I stop for lunch along a creek that flows into or out of Mirror Lake. There's trout in here too but much smaller ones. There's also a pretty reflection in this stream. (Yet another memory card full - 1G; my last one is 1/2G hope I don't run out.)

In the parking lot I see a Milbert's Tortoiseshell (bfly) flying around --- they do over-winter in their adult form. So not surprising to see them -- its in the upper 40s.

Now its time to see what's after Mirror Lake because I didn't go past it last time.

I make quick stops at Pass Lake and Bfly Lake (yea!!) and then the Highline Trail. This parking lot was snow covered and no one was around so I went in only a little way and walked down to the completely frozen lake and mountain views.

Drove a bit further down the hwy but the road started downhill toward WY. So I decided to turn around and head back the way I came.

Perfect day --- and probably the last chance for me to do it as I'm not sure how much of this drive gets closed when the "real" snow hits.

More photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whalerider33/sets/72157637028165634/

Oct 25 - Little Cottonwood Creek Trail

Beautiful sunny morning. Been thinking about Red Pine Lake a lot and figuring this week-end maybe my last chance to get up it without snowshoes (and it hasn't rained/snowed in over 2 weeks so the trail may be clear-ish).

So I drove up to the trailhead, parked, looked at the trail and I wasn't feeling it. So back in my car and I drove up to Alta -- thinking Albion Basin would be great if the little 2mile dirt road was open. (It usually open to Nov 1 at the latest but it was closed earlier because of our brilliant Administration's decision  due to the Govt Shutdown - unmaintained 2 mile dirt road -- saved a lot of $$$ I'm sure but I digress). I wasn't hopeful because why open it for a week and I was right because although there was no snow on the south facing mountains, the road was closed -- Darn!

But the north facing mts at Snowbird and Alta ski resorts had a good amount of snow at the upper elevations --- could ski season be opening shortly on the high trails -- with the cold and snow predicted for Monday/Tuesday perhaps.

So I drove back to Red Pine and I just wasn't motivated to climb today so I drove back down the canyon and decided to walk the Little Cottonwood Creek trail - haven't been on it since early June. It's still 6-7 miles and over 1000ft in elevation but it just sounded better today.

First note is that although most of the trees have dropped their leaves (especially at the higher elevations) there still enough color in spots on the rocky mt-sides to make them incredibly pretty.

The lower part of the trail had no water in the creek. Not really surprising as the summer was a drought (again) and the creek is part of SLC's watershed.

There's still a fair amount of yellow color in some of the trees and understory bushes along the trail.  And the trail is in the shade, the sun hasn't made it over the mts yet and this late in the fall, I'm not sure if much of the trail will get into the sun today -- but I hoping it will because its a bit chilly (but at least I have my gloves :))

Before I get to the 1st bridge, the sound of water returns and the gushing waterfall of the Spring/early Summer is no a very tame 2-forked waterfall (very cute).

A bit further up the trail, the water disappears again. I see a few rather large moths flying around -- seems a bit chilly for them but they're out anyway.

Although the water in the creek is off-n-on, my little south flowing stream still has water and it's still pooling - I'm really surprised!

Parts of the trail took a beating this summer -- especially in 2 spots where its a bit washed out. I know we had some big mt rains this summer and there were mud slides in both the canyons, I'm assuming this is some of the results.

The end of the trail is the old rock building. It sits on the opposite side of the creek. Since the creek is low enough, I could rock-hop across but I just like looking at it at a distance. Someone has built a little bridge (new lumber), I'm not sure why --- perhaps they will attempt to restore it.

I have my lunch (lots of bikers out today). And head back down. I explore some of the camping areas near the creek. And parts of the dry creek bed -- hard to believe that this was a raging creek a few months back.

There are now part of the trail in the sun and it feels good but still most is still in the shade.

I'm almost to the parking lot and I see a bfly --- Red Admiral (1st one all year) and a bit later a Milbert's Tortoiseshell --- quite a surprise.

Oct 20 - Bonneville Salt Flats

Well we had trains and did planes but today no automobiles instead the Bonneville Salt Flats (where the car speed records take place).

I've never been here myself. Have only been as far west as the Salt Lake Marina on the south of the lake. Today, we're heading to the NV border.

Its a pretty barren drive --- there are mountains to break of the views but for the most part is all salt flats (~100 miles of salt flats). Some of them have water on them and others are dry. There are also 2 salt factories (one is Morton --- not sure who owns the other). We're trying to figure out where the water is coming from -- are the salt plants flooding the land (that takes a lot of water).  (I look it up when I got home --- the water is just groundwater that in the summer evaporates but now since its fall, the evaporation rate is dropping allowing the groundwater to collect on the flats - lots of groundwater down there.)

About 1/2 way to the Bonneville Flats there this strange tree-like sculpture on the north side of the highway. We're in the middle of military property so maybe its some govt device -- but looks like a tree with large balls as leaves. Very strange -- I found out later that is just a piece of artwork (in the middle of no where).

Finally get to a rest stop (which the internet says is the best place to view the flats --- even have a hose to wash off your shoes if you walk on the flats).

The flats were dry and very white -- would've been shinier if the sun was out but it was an overcast day. I went down to the edge --- for a look.

The speed races are done about 7 miles to the north (at least that what the info board says).

We get back on the hwy heading west -- might as well stop at Wendover and the air museum there as we're only a few miles away. But we see an exit to the flats and we take it to see where it goes. Well it goes right down the middle of the flats and if it weren't for 2 people pull-off to the side, I probably would've drove right off the road and onto the flats because I just wasn't expecting the road to end.

Now we're in the middle of the flats, surrounded by white -- very cool. But there was water out here in spots which made the experience even better.

When we were done, we headed for the air museum which is an old air force base where Tibbets practiced for the atom bomb drop on Hiroshima. The museum is on a portion of the old AF base. There's an old hangar, barracks building, air tower and a few other buildings. You can't go in them because they need to be restored. There's a cargo plane outside which we can walk thru --- it also needs to be restored (but the birds seem happy in there). But it was neat to see inside and see where the pilots sat.

The old runways are still in use as the small Wendover airport (light aircraft only). There still some bunkers on the other side of the runways. Inside the one building is a small museum with memorabilia from the airforce base, replicas of the atomic bomb and a newspaper of the Japanese surrendering the war. All interesting stuff.

Dad and Uncle leave tomorrow, hope they had a good time --- I have a great time showing them around.

Oct 19 - Hill Air Force Base Museum (and Antelope Island)

Yesterday was trains, today, planes.

Heading up to Hill AF base museum just north of Layton. This is new territory for me as I have never been this far north --- its a couple of exits north of Antelope Island.

Its another beautiful day, sunny and cool morning.

When we exit, the museum is right there and we drive slowly through a bunch of planes (cargo planes, B1B bomber, etc. Of course, we walk thru the planes as well. Man, are some of them big.

The museum itself it rather large w/ 2 buildings full of planes (fighter, bomber, cargo planes), different types of bombs and tributes to the UT military men/women,  and helicopters. The prize for me is the SR71 Blackbird. I thought it was a really nice museum - I think we spent 2hrs there.

Then a quick lunch and a stop at Antelope Island. We drive down the east side of the island and spot a bison on the left side of the road walking to a fresh water basin. And to the right there were 3 bison heading toward the water as well. One of the bison was really near to crossing the road so I pulled over and waited for it to cross which it did. (I was surprised that my Dad was actually taking photos.)

I pulled forward a bit and my Dad and I got out of the car and waited for the 2nd bison to reach the water. I was curious as to what the reaction of the 1st bison would be. But they both played nice and drank side-by-side.

My Dad and I couldn't figure out where the other 2 bison went -- they just disappeared.

We then went to the highest part of the island which you can drive thru - for the view. And then headed down to the ranch.

On the way back, we spotted 3 pronghorn.

Enjoyable day.

Oct 18 - Heber Creeper

My Dad and Uncle arrived on Wed -- drove out from Indiana. They were on their own on Thurs (as I was at work) but on Friday I took them on the Heber Creeper. A guy I worked with gave me some entertainment ideas (trains, planes, and automobiles) and the Heber Creeper (a train ride) was one of them.

I was able to get tix when I got home on Thurs for the Fri Provo Canyon ride (about 3 hrs -- 16 miles). My Dad was excited. As was I - 1) I found a train ride my Dad had not heard of (he's a huge train buff) 2) I was just excited.

The Heber Creeper is in Heber -- site of the sheepdog competition earlier in the summer. The drive up was good --- still colorful but a lot of leaves had dropped in one week.

Got there in plenty of time. I could see Mt Timpanagos clearly -- beautiful Mt. Was saving a photo for the train ride as we were supposed to go by it.

The train was not a locomotive, just a diesel.

When we boarded, my Dad and I thought we'd be on the proper side for the best view of Mt Timpanagos - at least we were hoping.

Unfortunately, we picked the wrong side of the car. The fields (6 mule deer), creek, mountains were all on the other side. (Ooops). We got some hillsides and cliff walls until the very end when we crossed the creek and the creek was on our side. (Sure we could still peek thru the windows on the opposite side of the train but its not the same.)

The exciting part of the way out was an osprey that was soaring at the speed of the train for a good 200yds. My Dad was even enjoyed watching it. What a beautiful bird!!

On the train, we had a simulated train robbery and music/songs sung by one of the train robbers.

The end of the line was Vivian Park where we got to disembark for about 20 minutes. And boy was it surprisingly cold. A strong cold wind was blowing thru the park so it was a quick trip off and back on the train.

On the way, we did pick the proper side of the train (creek, mts, ....)

but because of the sun's location, the views were not as pretty. But my head was out the window the whole way.

Did see the mts,

the deer were still in the same location just laying down now, and a osprey (at its nest) and some kind of hawk (could also be a golden eagle - the conductor said they were around).

Train arrived back at the station on-time 2pm.

Great day, had fun (and always nice to make your Dad happy).

Oct 12 Summit Peak Trail

Got a late start today but decided to pass on the Mts and go chase some Fall color. For the past week I know the trees on the Wasatch Front are changing colors, I see them everytime I come home but the colors are faint. I saw the colors at Antelope Island yesterday so today I heading up Parley's Canyon for a quick check of the road to the Mormon Trail and then off to Summit Peak trail.

Hwy 80 thru Parley's Canyon, I could tell the colors were all there but because the sun was in my eyes it was really hard to enjoy. I got off at the Jeremy's Ranch exit and made my way to the dirt road that leads to the Mormon Trail. The colors around the houses and foothills in the Jeremy's Ranch subdivision were really nice but I knew the dirt road would be better especially with the river that flows thru the open pasture land. And it didn't disappoint.

Burnt orange, dirty yellows, reds were up all of the foothills.

The grasses around the stream were all different shades of red.

Really pretty and many photos stops were made.

Now time to backtrack one exit to do the Summit Peak trail -- which I tried during the summer but turned around due to rain clouds approaching fast.

I get off the exit and turned left too quickly and ended up going uphill thru a subdivision of really nice houses on a narrow road. Lots of "Moose Crossing" signs on the road. The houses were something I could see myself living in (wild backyard - ski chalets) BUT they were far too close to each other. Pretty interesting to get up and down that road in the winter.

Headed back down (luckily the road had "Exit" signs so I didn't get lost) and then made the proper turn to weave thru another subdivision to the trailhead parking.

In the upper 40s now at around 11am. Yesterday I vowed never to forget my gloves and today I did bring them (even went back in the house after I was ready to go to pick them up) but decided to not take them because the sun was out --- not a good move. So now I vow not only to bring them in my car but actually take them on the hike :)

The trail starts with 10 switchbacks, there were lots of yellow shrubs to look at while walking thru the pines on this section of the trail. The trail was very wet and muddy in spots - and slick. I thought it was because of the rains on Thurs/Fri but I found out quickly and there were still remnants of snow in spots. Looks like the trails are freezing at night and when they warm up, mud.

The mud made getting up the turns on some of the switchback interesting as they were pretty steep.

After I got thru the switchbacks (and the pines), I got to the colors.

Mostly different shades of oranges and a burned yellow of the scrub oak (and a few reds). The colors were below the trail and above up to the top of the foothills.

So pretty. Walking thru was amazing.

Found a fir cone and its was disintegrating so I helped it along. Actually saw for the 1st time what the seeds looked like and pulled enough off to see the cone stem. Just doing some investigation.

Squirrels were sure chattering today.

Finally got into the bright yellow aspens and looked out to the east and could see the snow in the high Uintas. (I think I missed the window to get out and hike in the Uintas (10K+ peaks)-- the snow is sticking -- probably still worth a drive though).

Got to the trail junction with the Over Easy trail (I took the Over Easy trail last time). The Over Easy is very steep and extremely muddy today - would prove very interesting to get up if I were taking it.

Continued on the main trail, a few spots were like mud skating -- my shoes were so heavy with mud.

Got to a part of the trail that was just dead tree branches -- no color -- seemed out-of-place.

When I got to the end, I had 2 choices to go left and one to go right and I didn't remember which one to take. Tried the left and as soon as it started downhill I knew it wasn't correct (I was going to a summit that has to mean uphill.)

So I sat down and had lunch enjoying the warm sun and views. Then a dog started barking at me - scared me. His owner called him back and apologized. She told me the summit was to the right.

Finished lunch and then headed right. Took a faint trail (it had footprints on it) but after a bit of walking on a sketchy trail decided that it didn't seem right so headed back. I was almost back when I saw the real trail (I must have been on a game trail.) This trail went up hill. Pretty steep in spots and at times I felt like a cartoon character with my feet spinning and going no where in the mud. At one point I slipped forward and caught myself with my hands before splatting into the mud. :)

I knew I was close to the top but I had enough of the mud and headed back. (At least I made it further than last time.) So now I had to go down the steep muddy hill -- my goal was simply not to end up on my butt.

I didn't see this on my way up but there was a crudely made lean-to in the woods. Second one I've seen on these trails.

Made it safely back down to the main trail and headed back to the trailhead.

There are definitely moose in these woods -- I see hoof prints on the trail.

At one point going back I came extremely close to ending up on my backside. Luckily, with right leg kicked out in front of me and arms waving in the air, my left heel must've dug into the mud  and I was able to balance myself and prevent a sloppy fall (like a horrible flamingo imitation) Whew!

Made it safely down the rest of the trail.

The drive home was amazing. The sun was just perfect and the foothills were alive with color. From top to bottom, they were covered in a carpet of various shades of oranges and deep dark (dirty) yellows. There were occasional spots of red and brilliant yellows. Even the tall 8000-9000ft slopes were covered in the mat of color. For the foothills that weren't covered in trees, the colors looked like a formal gardens scattered on the hillsides. Made me smile to see all of that. Pretty amazing.

And that wasn't the best part. The best part was entering Parley's Canyon where the mountains (and the carpet of colors) is right near your car. Fantastic!!!

Oct 11 - Sentry Trail - Antelope Island

With rain the last 2 days, I decided that a snowy or sloppy hike in the mountains was not on the agenda today. I'm returning to Antelope Island (Great Salt Lake). Haven't been there since late April/early May when the gnats arrived.  But today its 50degrees and sunny, perfect day to go back to check out Fall on Antelope Island. (But cool enough for gloves and I didn't bring any - must bring gloves from now on.)

Heading to the Sentry trail on the east side of the island --- did this trail earlier in the year (had to walk thru a herd of bison).

Antelope Island was a wise choice because there are still clouds in the mountains even up in the Layton area.

The drive down the causeway was wonderful as usual. There was no water at the start -- but it sure smelled like salt water. A little further down, there was water and the mountains and clouds cast nice reflects.

I could see the Oquirrh Mts to the west had lots of snow on their tops from the recent rains. Looked pretty stunning and at this point in the year, I'd bet that snow isn't melting anytime soon.

Before I headed down the east side, I had to make pit stop. There was a truck in front of me that suddenly stopped in the road -- I don't know why. But on my way back, I found out --- there was a bison on the side of the road (the truck was blocking my view of it) eating the vegetation. And he must've been so hungry because he had dried plants hanging from his horn.

I saw 3 more bison on the way down the east side. The orange/red colors of the lake-side grasses were wonderful.

And the masses of yellow rabbitbrush over the plains made it look like fall. Most of the hills are sagebrush but in some of the deep valleys, I could see the bright yellows of aspen and the reds of other trees.

There were no massive herd of bison today.

I got down to the ranch (end of the paved road) and parking for Sentry trail and was called over by a DNR guy. Told me I can now drive down the dirt road to a new trailhead -- guess they just opened the dirt road to the general public - yea, I get to save about 1/4mile walk both ways!

He also wanted to show me a sleeping female Great Horned Owl in the tree. I've never see a wild one (only ones in rehab). Boy was she beautiful and blended nicely into the tree. I could see that her eyes were closed.

The guy told me the male was around earlier but had flown off. This pair have had owlets on the ranch property the last 2 years - once on a platform and the other time in an old raven's nest. I learned something today, I thought they built their own nest in holes of trees but they actually re-use nest, treeholes from other birds. Thank-you Mr DNR!!. And now I can look for them come winter.

I got back in my car and went down the washboard dirt road to the parking area and started on my way.

I was greeted by the rabbitbrush, sunflowers and a yellow plant that looked like Arnica. And I was surprised to see bflys!! Mostly sulphers but I also saw a Monarch, 2 Checkered Whites, 2 Mylitta Crescents, a Common Checkered Skipper and 1 Melissa Blue. Pretty exciting. They were all at the bottom of the trail.

As I climbed, I just enjoyed the Fall views.

At one point during the climb, there were 3 bison on the other side of the gully from me --- actually very very steep gully. They were eating and stopped and all looked my way. And then just continued to eat.

There were puddles from the rains of the last 2 days but the trail was mostly dry. In some muddy places, I could see deer or pronghorn tracks. And come to think of it, I've never seen a deer here.

I came to a intersection in the trail -- the one trail was closed to hikers but there was one hiker on it of the 4-legged variety, a coyote! Never fails, everytime I come, I see a coyote and I'm still thrilled. He looked my way as he was crossing the trail.

I finally get to saddle and the views westward towards the Oquirrhs and the white mountain tops. It was windy up here (from the west) so I had to pull out my windbreaker.

A quick lunch enjoying the views and I was off heading south down the saddle behind Sentry Peak.

Pretty rocky around the trail. Spotted a lizard!

As I got closer to the rocky Sentry peak there were lots of signs of bison - fresh signs (and smells) of bison. Definitely had to watch were I was stepping. I looked down below towards the water and could see what could be just large rocks or bison. Actually there were rocks and bison - a herd of about 30 - and I know where they were early in the day. :)

Finished the crossing and started back down the hill. Along the way I scared up a pronghorn. He trotted across the road and stopped. He was about 200 yrds away. He turned to look at me and then trotted off. I watched him for a while and at one point he was perfectly silhouetted against the lake.

The butterflies were still flying on my return.

I still had time so I drove off towards the Visitors Center. I made a stop at one of the official turn offs and walked down towards the water on what looked like a game trail (lots of little pellets along the way). I was just trying to get good shots of the lake but it really didn't work out so well.

A little further down the road was a lone pronghorn. Worth a photo.

As I turned toward the Center some movement in the sagebrush caught my eye. And yes there are deer here! There were 2 buck - both looked to have 5-6 points.

Stopped on the beach for a quick look.

As I circled the Center, the one bison (w/ the grass in his horn) was still there -- no grass. And there were 4 others around the Center.

What a great day -- lots of wildlife and fall colors. And the part shot, as I drove past the gate was a red-tailed hawk pretty low to the ground, flew right over my car. I was glad no one was behind me because I stopped to watch. Can't beat that to close the day!!